Beyond Rove — He offered the president advice, not magic. — KARL ROVE IS the first to admit it: he's become a myth, a man from whom political magic is expected. Last fall, for instance, Republicans around the country and even in the White House waited for Rove to devise a campaign strategy …

Hastert Planning to Retire at End of 2008, GOP Sources Say — After less than a year as a rank-and-file House member, former Speaker J. Dennis Hastert is expected to call an end to a political career that made him the longest serving Republican Speaker in the history of the House of Representatives.

Dozens killed in multiple suicide attacks in Iraq — BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Suicide bombings in a northern Iraqi town Tuesday targeted a religious minority and left at least 120 people dead and 150 wounded, according to police officials, who said there were three bombings in three locations.

Toward a Realistic Peace — Summary: The next U.S. president will face three key foreign policy challenges: setting a course for victory in the terrorists' war on global order, strengthening the international system the terrorists seek to destroy, and extending the system's benefits.

Imus Settles With CBS, May Make Comeback — NEW YORK — Don Imus has reached a settlement with CBS over his multimillion-dollar contract and is negotiating to resume his broadcasting career. — Imus and CBS Radio "have mutually agreed to settle claims that each had against the other regarding …

Hamas TV's child star says she's ready for martyrdom — GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Saraa Barhoum picked at the buttons on her pink bellbottom jeans as she twisted on a chair inside the bustling new Hamas television headquarters. The afternoon light bounced off the sparkly outlines of butterflies …

Giuliani Vows to End Illegal Immigration — Mayor's Campaign Hits Romney Back on Issue, Defends Record — A week after being assailed by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for being soft on illegal immigration as mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani today unveiled the details of his plan …

Report Card on Iraq — Michael O'Hanlon and Anthony Cordesman, two big Middle East watchers just back from Iraq, give us their differing takes on what lies ahead for the country. — Michael O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution.

Debate on drinking age brews — As it happens, there is no such thing as a "federal legal drinking age." Many states allow minors to drink alcohol — some of them without restriction, others under certain circumstances, such as the presence of a parent or other guardian.